Playful Guide: April 2025

Spring has sprung here in Pierce County, and with it comes more opportunity to enjoy the sunshine that the season brings, as well as take advantage of some of the many outdoor spaces around us for rowdy, active play. Even if your family prefers to play inside, there are so many developmental benefits to what we often call, “big body play.”

Big body play occurs when children engage in active and large physical movements during activities like running, wrestling, climbing, swinging, rolling, and more involving gross motor movement.

Physical Development

Big Body play is a great way to encourage movement and physical activity, which are important for maintaining overall health, with jumping, climbing, tumbling, throwing, and other physical activities that the child is able to perform helping to strengthen muscles, improve coordination, and enhance physical fitness. During this type of play, children also practice awareness of their own bodies and how to navigate their surroundings and interact with others and their environment in ways that are safe and fun.

Let’s Play Outside!

Did you know? According to the American Heart Association, “spending time in nature can help relieve stress and anxiety, improve your mood and boost feelings of happiness and well-being.” Plus, Vitamin D, which can be absorbed from natural sunlight, has been suggested to improve multiple aspects of development, including bone and mental health. If you’re able, playing outside can give your family an even greater boost to their health and wellness.

Cognitive Development

Big Body play can also give children the chance to practice making a plan, negotiating, and taking risks. When playing with others, they are also able to practice awareness of others’ boundaries. These interactions with their peers are critical in helping children learn and understand social cues and build relationships, as well as develop skills in emotional regulation by giving them a way to channel their feelings.

When children take risks in their play, they can build confidence in their abilities, but can also learn resilience when they experience failure, which are critical skills for children to build in preparation for challenges that they may encounter in other areas of life. When children engage in play that has real consequences, failure can give them opportunities to strategize and make a plan to do better on their next try.